We Gold Coasters are the kind of folks who don’t mind getting a little bit dressed up and heading out for a tipple or two somewhere special.

Particularly when that somewhere special is a place we haven’t been before.

Enter Ms Margot’s Bar & Eats, Surfers’ new cocktail bar and eatery found within the stunning surrounds of Hilton Surfers Paradise.

Having only opened within the last little while, the new space is the perfect spot for an afternoon of sipping and snacking with a side of people watching and what could be better honestly?

Found on Orchid Avenue, Ms Margots overlooks the bustling street but inside is sleek and relaxing, all white tiles and a textured feature wall.

Plus of course, a stunning fully stocked bar.

The newbies catch-cry is ‘anytime’s a good time’ and we wholeheartedly agree.

In terms of eats, you can head in early for a spot of breakfast, a tad later for brunch or simply an evening snack.

The menu is made up of all kinds of high quality goodies, which is exactly what you’d expect from an eatery within such a prestigious establishment.

For example there’s Grilled King Prawns with kaffir lime and coconut dressing, green papaya and peanuts, Haloumi Fries with chipotle mayo and pomegranate glaze and a Tempura Bug Roll on a milk bun with Sriracha mayo and cos lettuce.

If you’re after something a little larger there’s Fillets of Barramundi battered in Lovedale Lager with caper mayo, Prawn and Pork Nachos and a Chargrilled Steak with harissa butter, asparagus, tarragon and drunken shallots.

There are also a range of pizzas to choose from and some extremely interesting (and yummy) desserts like Arancini Vanilla Crème Patisserie (which roughly translates to sweet rice balls) in three flavours – pistachio, dark chocolate and mixed berry.

To drink, there are many a tasty cocktail including our favourite, the Dane-gerous Tide with Havana Club Anejo 3yr rum, agave nectar, fresh chilli and lime juice and the Garden of Eve with Brookies Dry Gin, Elderflower, cucumber juice, lime juice, fresh basil and sugar cane syrup.

They’re all amazing though honestly.

How exciting is a brand new bar that we can stand up in.

Get down to Ms Margot’s Bar & Eats and experience it all for yourself.

We’re big fans.

LOCATION: Hilton Surfers Paradise, 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: From 7am until late

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

With Mum’s day behind us for another year, you might be forgiven for thinking high tea season has come and scone.

Before you pack away the fancy frocks and lower the pinky finger, we have to let you in on a little secret.

Just chalk it up to another one of those happy discoveries we all make as we grow older and wiser, much like the game-changing revelation that breakfast can in actual fact, be enjoyed any time of the day (and inversely, if you want to have cake for breakfast you can do that too).

So lettuce spill the tea on this little pearl of wisdom: you can treat yourself to high tea any. old. time. you. like. #legasp

And when it’s time to treat ourselves to the finer things in life, it’s no secret the Hilton Surfers Paradise knows what’s up (quite literally, on account the 57 levels of luxury and all).

Already our go-to destination for staycays and soirees, but we need not only reserve our visits only for special occasions.

Because if you haven’t already met the Hiltons darling ground floor destination Ms Margot’s Bar & Eats, let us introduce you (and yes, she’s every bit as sophisticated as she sounds #howdoyoudoMs).

Nestled right off the bustling Orchid Ave Surfer’s strip Ms Margots promises tantalising drinks, delicious share plates & glittering coastal interiors #nowyou’rejustshowingoff

As if all that and a whole lotta it-girl energy isn’t enough, Ms Margot also puts on an infamous high tea spread so in-demand you can get your hands on it seven days a week.

Traditionally reserved for bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays and any special event in between, we maintain that ‘the sun is shining’ and ‘overdue goss sesh’ are perfectly valid reasons too.

Because quite frankly, who couldn’t use a bit more jam and cream in their lives #justbecause.

Since varie-tea is the spice of life, The Par-Tea High Tea menu is jam-packed with a tantalising assortment of savoury and sweet classics, perfectly paired with all the essential bevvys (#spoileralert ofc that includes a glass of bubbles which is entirely essential in our humble opinion).

It just wouldn’t be high tea without macarons and of course a berry nice fluffy scone or two with cream and berries – but since you twisted our arm we’ll manage to nibble our way through the Petit Cakes and Salted Caramel Truffles too #ifwemust.

Of course there’s no sad sangas to be found here – only the finest Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Open Sandwich #thankyouverymuch.

Keep it classy (this is Ms Margot’s, after all) and resist the urge to fight over the Pumpkin Arancini or the Haloumi with Honeycomb, Fig & Aioli, and you just know the S&P Soft Shell Crab Bao Bun will bring the #baofactor to the top off the whole delicious affair.

If you’re feeling thirs-tea, choose from Vittoria Barista-made Coffee or Dilmah Vivid Tea Selection and a who could forget the glass of Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne per person.

Now if what you and the best-tea’s are in the mood for is a little less ‘graze the day away’ and little more ‘full-blown full coma’, Ms Margot’s has just launched a delish new lunch menu every bit as #ladieswholunch worthy as their digs.

If you also have a huge soft spot for a good taco, the Soft Corn Taco with your choice of filling – Beef Cheek with truffled pepper mayo, Chilli Chicken with avocado & lime or Korean Peppered Tofu will give you something to taco ‘bout.

There’s also the fried and true crowd fave, Karaage Chicken Bites with rice, Kewpie mayo, Tamari & shallots but the Gyro’s Battered Barramundi with tzatziki, potato fries, tomato, lemon & parsley o-fish-ally has our mouths watering.

So whether it’s sophisticated sips, a leisurely lunch or a tea-riffic high tea experience, we think you’ll agree that anytime’s a good time to say hello to the ever-elegant Ms Margots and her enviable array of all-day delights.

When: Ms Margot’s Bar & Eats. Open Daily, 7am – Late, with Par-Tea High Tea available from 11:30AM – 3:00PM.
Where: Hilton Surfers Paradise, 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.

STORY SPONSORED BY HILTON SURFERS PARADISE HOTEL & RESIDENCES

Hands up if you also grew up with the not-so-humble Moreton Bay bug making its strictly annual cameo among the usual Chrissy day spread suspects (one that we were actually happy to see, unlike the trifle #blerg). The proliferation of bug rolls on menus the Coast over – and the resulting ability to wrap our mitts around these pint-sized parcels of seafood-stuffed deliciousness any old time we please – will never be lost on us. Unlike our willpower whenever we’re in their presence, which is demonstrably #MIA.

If you needed proof this little roll of the moment is not going anywhere, we’ve rustled up an entire list’s worth of places get your boujee bug boi fix without even breaking a sweat. And before you @ us, we do know that bugs & lobsters are not the same, but we’ve included both here because #delish.

Oh and if you’re not a seafood fan, check out our alternate list here instead: 10 ways to be sad #justsquidding #moreforus. But sea-riously, maybe this one’s not the list for you…

Here are 11 places to get your bug (and lobster) roll fix on the GC.

Rick Shores
The home of one of, if not the – OG bug rolls, we will forever be indebted to the culinary masterminds at Rick Shores for our introduction, and resulting obsession with the now ubiquitous shellfish slider. The famous Rick Shores Bug Roll has remained a staunch cult favourite that the entire GC (and beyond) has been going cray-sea for ever since.

Their signature combo of golden Beer-battered Moreton Bay bug, sandwiched between slabs of buttery milk bun and topped with Sriracha Mayonnaise and gem lettuce is undoubtedly the one to beat, with the secret lying in the boujee #bugonbug method whereby chopped bug is also incorporated into the mayo for extra sweetness down right deliciousness.
Where: 3/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

kōst
We’re yet to meet anyone who hasn’t been absolutely smitten with one of the GC’s most notable newcomers, kōst. This sprawling stunner of a super-venue has been setting hearts ablaze ever since they sauntered onto Broady’s eat scene, along with literally anything they can throw on their signature charcoal wood-fire grill. It should come as a surprise to absolutely no one that the most boujee sando of the moment, the bay lobster roll, gem lettuce and kōst signature sauce makes an appearance on the kōst menu right alongside their swanky seafood towers and roving champagne and caviar trolleys. Pro tip, you HAVE to add the chilli sauce for a next level spicy experience.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

Cooly Breeze
Amalfi coast vibing Cooly Breeze is somewhat of a hidden southern gem, boasting both the Coast’s only fine dining rooftop views of the Tweed River surrounds and a pretty claw-some seafood selection, thanks to those Mediterranean roots.

Their answer to this beloved boujee sando is of course served with that same signature Mediterranean twist, with the Moreton Bay Bug, avocado, finger lime, fresh jalapeño, watermelon radish all served on a pillowy bed of focaccia. Our tastebuds are so bready.
Where: level 13/122 Griffith St, Coolangatta

Squiseato
Hitting the shops just went #nextlevel, with David Jones at PAC Fair welcoming its flagship gourmet eatery Squiseato last month – and with it, an entirely new meaning to our never-fail retail therapy mantra: #treatyoself.

A play on the Italian word meaning exquisite, it’s exactly how you’d imagine a DJ’s take on eats would go down. This full service new kid on the block is unapologetically flaunting their appreciation for the finer things in life, serving up Champagne, premium wine, hand-rolled pasta, freshly shucked oysters – and you guessed it – their signature sandwich, the Lobster Brioche Roll. The ultimate way to toast your next bargain hunting expedition.
Where: Pacific Fair, 4 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach Waters

Bugz & Co
A local catering duo with one delicious specialty: cheeseburgers! Kiddinggg, its gourmet bug rolls, obviously – and some mighty fried ones at that. If the infiltration of these juicy little morsels into our local street food scene isn’t indication the cult sando has o-fish-ally #madeit, we don’t know what is.

Keep your eyes peeled for a whole lot of gourmet goodness to-go being cooked up by the Bugz & Co crew at your local fetes and markets – you can even lock them in for private soirees. Bug rolls that come to us?! How good.
Where: Local fetes, markets & private events.

Mare/Pool Club at La Luna
With the level of luxe La Luna is dishing up daily, it’s absolutely no surprise there’s also a cameo from our beloved bug roll gracing it’s menu. The swanky, euro-chic vibes are immaculate, as is the Crispy tempura Moreton Bay bug in a milk bun, bug mayo, sweet + sour sauce.

Whether you’re luxuriating poolside in one of the sun drenched La Luna cabanas, or sidling up for the full winning and dining experience at Mare Restaurant – one thing’s for sure, when you’re surrounded by yachts, superb sips and noshing on bug rolls, life is good.
Where: La Luna Beach Club, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Blue House
Bumbles cafe was not pulling any punches when they delivered their stunner of an offshoot The Blue House earlier this year. With a grown-up new spot for eats and sips sitting pretty by the picturesque Budds Beach promenade, the new venue delivers a delicious hit of #dopaminedecor right along with a knockout bug roll.

If you really want to seas the day, pair one of the classic Bug rolls made with little gem lettuce and sriracha sauce, with one of those blue-tiful house cocktails as the sun sinks low (rain, hail or shine all works tho tbh).
Where: 19-23 River Drive, Budds Beach, Surfers Paradise

Joe’s Deli
If by now you’re wondering if the limit of seafood laden sliders exists (it doesn’t), the professional sanga slingers at Joe’s Deli are here to throw their unique blend of American diner style, Italian inspired eats into the mix for your culinary consideration.

The Joe’s crew are renowned for their ability to put together a next level sandwich, and the Lobbie Roll delivers on that promise (and then some), made with Lobster, Crab, Kewpie Mayo, Shredded Iceberg Lettuce, Chives, Black Caviar and Lemon. So much yes.
Where: Pacific Fair, 4 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters

Ms Margot’s
Nestled just off the bustling Orchid Ave strip, Ms Margot’s is certainly no stranger to all things luxe with a name like Hilton Surfers Paradise behind (and atop) her. Settle in for a spot of people watching, fave cocktail in hand with the swanky sandwich of the hour and let the good times roll.

Ms Margot’s dishes up a generous baguette roll loaded with a tempura style battered Moreton Bay Bug burger, gem lettuce, avocado and bread and butter pickles, all drizzled in chipotle mayo for a little extra smokey goodness.
Where: 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Tarte Beach House
Never one to do anything by halves (unless it’s literally to cut one of those stacked signature NY Bagels in two), when our beloved Tarte takes on the lobster roll, of course it was never going to be anything other than next level.

The Tarte Beach House offering includes real deal Southern rock lobster, loaded in hot butter, celery, chives and lettuce all wrapped up in the most perfect of packages – a toasted housemade brioche. If you need us, we’ll be scoffing these buttery bug boi’s creek side allll summer long.
Where: 1/4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin

FINEPRINTCO Art Bar
We all know they serve up delicious cocktails (thanks Rumtin) alongside the art, but did you know FINEPRINTCO Art Bar also dishes up epic bug rolls? Well, technically they’re bug brioche, but all you really need to know is they’re the goods. With Moreton Bay Bug, Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaf and Sesame we’ve now given you the perfect excuse to drop into Brickworks. Just don’t blame us if you accidentally walk out with a Slim Aarons too.
Where: Brickworks, Shop 302, 107 Ferry Road, Southport

Words by Kellie Leader.